Reaction: Liverpool title race blow in Everton loss & latest football news

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Liverpool’s players trooped off with heads bowed at the final whistle, some nursing grievances with the officials but the frustration was surely more the knowledge that this might be a decisive night in their title challenge.

They cannot be written off, of course, but Liverpool suddenly look like a side out of energy and ideas, with even the normally reliable Mohamed Salah misfiring all night.

It made for a miserable derby farewell for manager Jurgen Klopp, who says it is never easy at Goodison Park – and it has never been tougher than this.

Liverpool are now three points behind leaders Arsenal but the Gunners have a vastly superior goal difference which is like the cushion of an extra point.

It felt like Liverpool had walked into a trap at Goodison Park as Everton turned on the power to rattle their arch rivals in a manner rarely seen in these fixtures in recent years. Liverpool had their chances but Everton would not be moved.

On nights like this, and when Everton actually respond to the atmosphere, Goodison Park is a very unforgiving environment and Liverpool came up short in too many areas.

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have defied the odds before but the manner in which they played, and in which they made their retreat at the final whistle, made it clear what damage this defeat has done.